The promotion announced on Wednesday that Darrion
Caldwell, a 2009 NCAA national champion and two-time
All-American wrestler at North Carolina State University, has
signed a “long-term promotional agreement” with Bellator. Caldwell
is expected to compete at 145 pounds.

“Everything just really fell into place for me to sign with a
prestigious organization like Bellator. I’m really embracing this
opportunity,” Caldwell stated in a release. “During our talks, the
tournament format is something I thought about a lot, and that’s
what I always grew up with being a Division I wrestler. I’m used to
looking at a bracket and seeing my name against another fighter, so
I’m absolutely looking forward to my first tournament run.”

According to Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney, Caldwell will be given
plenty of time to develop before he is placed in a featherweight
tournament. His course could mirror that of Bubba
Jenkins, another celebrated wrestler on the promotion’s roster.
Thus far, Jenkins’ first three Bellator appearances have come in
preliminary bouts.

“Similar to what we’ve done with other top prospects, Darrion will
be brought along slowly and given time to develop before facing
many of the best featherweights in the world in our tournament. The
sky is the limit for Darrion,” Rebney said.

Caldwell is 3-0 as a professional, with each of his fights coming
under the Legacy Fighting Championship banner. In his most recent
outing, the 25-year-old Power MMA Team representative outpointed
Gerzan
Chaw at LFC 21 in July.